2 Timothy 1

King James Version (1769) · Tap a verse to see it in context

About this chapter

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Paul, writing to Timothy his "dearly beloved son," remembers his tears and his "unfeigned faith," which dwelt first in his grandmother Lois and his mother Eunice. He urges him to "stir up the gift of God," for "God hath not given us the spirit of fear; but of power, and of love, and of a sound mind," and not to be ashamed of the testimony of the Lord or of Paul his prisoner. All in Asia have turned away from Paul, but Onesiphorus "was not ashamed of my chain." 2 Timothy 1:1 2 Timothy 1:2 2 Timothy 1:4 2 Timothy 1:5 2 Timothy 1:6 2 Timothy 1:7 2 Timothy 1:8 2 Timothy 1:15 2 Timothy 1:16

Who, where, when, and the key verses

Who

Paul, "an apostle of Jesus Christ," writes to Timothy and names Lois and Eunice, Phygellus and Hermogenes, and the house of Onesiphorus. 2 Timothy 1:1 2 Timothy 1:2 2 Timothy 1:5 2 Timothy 1:15 2 Timothy 1:16

Where

Paul is a prisoner in chains, and Onesiphorus sought him out "in Rome." He recalls how Onesiphorus served him "at Ephesus," and that all "in Asia" have turned away from him. 2 Timothy 1:8 2 Timothy 1:15 2 Timothy 1:16 2 Timothy 1:17 2 Timothy 1:18 2 Timothy overview Rome Ephesus Asia

When

Traditionally about AD 64-67, during a second imprisonment in Rome shortly before Paul's death. Many scholars hold that the letter was written after Paul's death by a follower writing in his name, about AD 80-100; others accept that Paul wrote it. 2 Timothy overview

How it fits

This opening chapter sets the tone of the letter: suffering without shame, and guarding what was committed to Timothy. Chapter 2 continues, "Thou therefore, my son, be strong in the grace that is in Christ Jesus." 2 Timothy 1:8 2 Timothy 1:14 2 Timothy 2:1 2 Timothy overview

Key verses

Verse 7
"For God hath not given us the spirit of fear; but of power, and of love, and of a sound mind." Romans 8:15 also says believers have "not received the spirit of bondage again to fear." 2 Timothy 1:7 Romans 8:15
Verse 9
God "hath saved us, and called us with an holy calling, not according to our works, but according to his own purpose and grace." Ephesians 2:8-9 says, "by grace are ye saved through faith... Not of works." 2 Timothy 1:9 Ephesians 2:8 Ephesians 2:9
Verse 12
"I know whom I have believed, and am persuaded that he is able to keep that which I have committed unto him against that day." 2 Timothy 1:12

Takeaway

Do not be ashamed of the gospel or of those who suffer for it; God has given a spirit of power, love and a sound mind, and he keeps what we commit to him. 2 Timothy 1:7 2 Timothy 1:8 2 Timothy 1:12

Drafted by AI from the Scripture and data shown under “Show sources,” then checked automatically and by a separate AI reader. Updated 2026-10-29.

Greeting and thanksgiving

¹Paul, an apostle of Jesus Christ by the will of God, according to the promise of life which is in Christ Jesus, ²To Timothy, my dearly beloved son: Grace, mercy, and peace, from God the Father and Christ Jesus our Lord. ³I thank God, whom I serve from my forefathers with pure conscience, that without ceasing I have remembrance of thee in my prayers night and day; ⁴Greatly desiring to see thee, being mindful of thy tears, that I may be filled with joy; ⁵When I call to remembrance the unfeigned faith that is in thee, which dwelt first in thy grandmother Lois, and thy mother Eunice; and I am persuaded that in thee also.

Not ashamed of the gospel

⁶Wherefore I put thee in remembrance that thou stir up the gift of God, which is in thee by the putting on of my hands. ⁷For God hath not given us the spirit of fear; but of power, and of love, and of a sound mind. ⁸Be not thou therefore ashamed of the testimony of our Lord, nor of me his prisoner: but be thou partaker of the afflictions of the gospel according to the power of God; ⁹Who hath saved us, and called us with an holy calling, not according to our works, but according to his own purpose and grace, which was given us in Christ Jesus before the world began, ¹⁰But is now made manifest by the appearing of our Saviour Jesus Christ, who hath abolished death, and hath brought life and immortality to light through the gospel: ¹¹Whereunto I am appointed a preacher, and an apostle, and a teacher of the Gentiles. ¹²For the which cause I also suffer these things: nevertheless I am not ashamed: for I know whom I have believed, and am persuaded that he is able to keep that which I have committed unto him against that day. ¹³Hold fast the form of sound words, which thou hast heard of me, in faith and love which is in Christ Jesus. ¹⁴That good thing which was committed unto thee keep by the Holy Ghost which dwelleth in us.

Deserted by many, refreshed by Onesiphorus

¹⁵This thou knowest, that all they which are in Asia be turned away from me; of whom are Phygellus and Hermogenes. ¹⁶The Lord give mercy unto the house of Onesiphorus; for he oft refreshed me, and was not ashamed of my chain: ¹⁷But, when he was in Rome, he sought me out very diligently, and found me. ¹⁸The Lord grant unto him that he may find mercy of the Lord in that day: and in how many things he ministered unto me at Ephesus, thou knowest very well.